Winner: Dr Sarah Bekaert

Senior Lecturer in Nursing

Sarah was nominated for the support she has provided as an Academic Adviser - offering both academic and pastoral guidance during a challenging period for the student. The nomination highlights the fact that the student has always felt able to openly disclose issues without ever feeling judged, and has always felt supported and listened to.

“Sarah’s role in my university journey has been crucial to any success I have had, and I feel she deserves to be told how grateful both I and other students are, for all that she does.”

Winner: Dr Alessandra Palidda

Senior Lecturer in Music and SC for the MA Music

Alessandra is a historical musicologist teaching modules and supervising dissertations in social history of music, opera studies and musicological research. The nomination described how Alessandra has helped students develop new ways of approaching research, offers constructive feedback and always makes the student feel they are working together.

Caroline Davis

Senior Lecturer, Oxford International Centre for Publishing

Caroline is a senior lecturer on the MA Publishing and BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, specialising in the History, Culture and Research strands of the programmes. The nominating student stated that they always felt they were collaborating on work with Caroline and always left meetings feeling encouraged. They also credit Caroline for their decision to stay at Brookes and do a PhD.

Stewart Thompson

Professor in Biodiversity Conservation

The nominating student praised the fact that Stewart went over and beyond to help them with their research and questions, and provided a lot of guidance. They also highlighted that Stewart provides quick feedback, is always open to new ideas and has ultimately enabled the student to become more confident in writing their dissertation.

Winner: Jon Reid

MA SEND Strand Leader, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Tutor

Jon is a Senior Lecturer in Child Development, Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion. Jon was nominated for the opportunities he creates for students to get involved, whether that’s overseeing the sensory garden or organising the annual inclusion conference. All of these activities are designed with student experience at the very heart of them.

“My student experience has been enriched and enjoyable thanks to the support and opportunities given by Jon.”

Miriam Johnson

Senior Lecturer and Subject Coordinator for the MAs in Publishing

Miriam manages the campus based MA programmes and helps to ensure things run smoothly while teaching marketing and rights management, among other things.

Miriam’s nomination highlighted the work she does to arrange work experience, send weekly newsletters, organise weekly guest lecturers, lead student reps and much much more.

“Miriam runs the program almost single handedly. She is boundlessly fun and so kind. We all love her!”

Alan Mcblane

Senior Lecturer, Events Management

Alan is a Senior Lecturer in Events Management, with a focus on providing students with practical experiences through participation in events that develop and enhance the student experience. Alan was nominated for the fact that he always goes above and beyond to improve the student experience at Brookes by offering activities for his students to get involved with.

Winner: Katerina Kosta

Teaching Fellow

Katerina designs and delivers teaching and learning activities at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Katerina was nominated for her work as module leader for Environmentally Sustainable Business. The nomination credited Katerina with helping them make friends on their course via group work. The student also praised the fact that they did not expect to enjoy the module, but now they love the classes!

“I did always end up leaving the class with a sense of ‘well that was fun/fascinating/eye-opening”

Alaaddine El-Chab

Senior Lecturer in Clinical and Sports Nutrition and Course Lead for MSc Applied Human Nutrition

Alaaddine is currently leading the MSc course in nutrition and his teaching mainly focuses on the clinical aspect of nutrition.

The nominating student praised Alaaddine’s passion for the subject, and highlighted the work he does to make lectures fun and engaging, such as using interesting videos or in-class competitions.

Kirsten Baker

Associate Lecturer - Faculty of Health & Life Sciences

The nominating student highlighted the way Kirsten makes complex anatomy and physiology sessions interactive and easy to understand. They stated that her lessons are never boring and it makes learning much more fun.

“I won’t forget the time she made me act out being a liver, pretending to marry two different substances together.“

Winner: Dr Sola Adesola

Senior Lecturer, Oxford Brookes Business School

Module Leader: UG Corporate & Business Law | PG Managing International Organisations | Researcher | EDI Lead

The nomination praised the feedback Sola provided for encouraging students to look at new perspectives, whether it was via a mid-term reflection session or detailed feedback on essays and plans.

“Her feedback for our essays and plans was very detailed, comprehensive, and encouraging with new perspectives that were helpful for me to get the most of the module she lectured.”

Jennifer Kirman

Principal Lecturer for the Student Experience

Jennifer is the subject coordinator for the school nurse and health visiting programmes at Oxford Brookes. “This is a role I am intensely proud of and passionate about. I have been in this role since 2014 and have worked hard with former students and partners to make sure the programme receives consistently good feedback. I have a passion for supporting and inspiring students to reach their full potential. I was promoted in 2018 to Principal Lecturer of the Student Experience which is a faculty-wide promotion.”

The student nomination speaks about how Jennifer helped transform a student’s academic writing style, offering excellent verbal and written feedback.

“I was able to pass the module with the highest mark I have achieved to date. I know this was due to the support I was given by Jen.”

Adam Blades

Lecturer in Media, Journalism and Publishing.

Adam teaches digital design and development skills for young publishers and journalists. The student nomination praised the “extraordinary amount of patience and time” Adam has for his students, as well as the high standard of constructive feedback he offers.

“His communication skills are astonishing, managing to explain some classes and concepts he doesn't even specialise in with such clarity that even lecturers in those fields comparatively struggle with.”

Winner: Gail Eva

Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy

Gail teaches occupational therapy theory and practice, research methods, and supports students' practice education. It was clear from the nomination that Gail has boundless enthusiasm and passion for her subject, and that students leave her sessions full of inspiration.

“Have you ever listened to someone speak and feel so inspired that you feel you are going to aim to be like them one day? That is what happens at the end of every lecture."

“During my 15 years of being in the education system I have never experienced such an amazing teacher. We are truly blessed to have her at Oxford Brookes.”

Jo Skelton

Senior Lecturer in Primary Mathematics

Jo works with undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop their subject knowledge of mathematics and their understanding of related maths pedagogy, in preparation for their future roles as primary teachers.

Jo was nominated for her PGCE 5-11 maths sessions. The nominating student highlights how she took a room of people who were “lukewarm about Maths: some were downright or disaffected” and inspired and engaged them in the subject through games and collaborative working.

“I for one owe Jo a debt of gratitude, as under her tutelage, my confidence in the subject came on in leaps and bounds.”

Kate Ji

Senior Lecturer in Revenue Management and Finance, Oxford Brookes Business School.

Kate is a passionate researcher and a dedicated teacher. The nominating student praised the fact that “Kate makes all us hospitality students actually enjoy a module related to finance!” They also stated that Kate frequently mentions how proud she is of past students who have started a financial career in hospitality and is very vocal about how students are the most important thing for her as a teacher.

“It is a pleasure to have a morning finance lecture with her.”

Winner: Sally Jane Saca

Head of International Student Advice Team

Sally is responsible for the provision of immigration advice and guidance, pastoral support and enhancing the international student experience through continuous process improvement.

The nomination praised how Sally supported the student during every stage of their University journey - from transferring to Brookes to accessing funding, from meeting them when they arrived at Brookes to helping them navigate Brexit paperwork.

“Whenever I have a question, I know Sally is there to give an answer.”

Winners: The Community Engagement and Social Responsibility Team - Andrea Siret, Emma Trundley, Jack Olchawski and Wendy Vrij

The team helps to foster positive relationships between the university and the local community and employs a team of Student Community Wardens who patrol local streets to provide advice and guidance to students. The nomination highlighted the fact that the team bear “the brunt of complaints and communication from residents in the local community” and the team works tirelessly to improve relations between the University and local community. They also highlighted the positive activities the team champion, such as No Mince Pies or Get to Know your Neighbour.

“The support that I have received throughout my time in the job (as a student community warden) has made me feel part of a family, I couldn't imagine getting through 4 years of university without them all.”

Winner: Nabeela Talib

Lecturer in Social Work

Nabeela teaches within the Social Work programme, is faculty lead in widening participation work and is a co-founder of the Global Majority Collective group.

The nominating student stated that Nabeela’s work with BAME students is exceptional. They also praised her “concerted efforts to decolonise the social work curriculum and highlight the everyday occurrence and impact of racism in our society.”

Fiona Sidorowicz

Lecturer in Social Work

Fiona teaches part time in the Social Work department at Brookes, whilst also practising part time as a frontline children and families social worker in a safeguarding team. Fiona was nominated for this award in recognition of her inclusive approach to teaching, incorporating peoples’ different approaches to learning into lecturers and activities. The nomination also praised Fiona’s passion for her subject, professionalism and approachability.

“Fiona is incredibly inspirational and a joy to be taught by.”

Molly Cochran

Reader in International Relations

Molly teaches modules on Human Rights as well as International Relations Theory and Methods. The nomination celebrated how passionate and friendly Molly is. The nominating student spoke about how Molly enabled non-English speaking students to engage with and digest the lectures; explaining in language that is easiest to understand and in a way that was inspiring.

Winner: Alan McBlane

Senior Lecturer, Events Management Alan is a Senior Lecturer in Events Management, with a focus on providing students with practical experiences through participation in events that develop and enhance the student experience. Alan was nominated for the opportunities he creates for students to get real-life experience; whether that is working with the Union on events or sourcing volunteering opportunities. “Alan teaches me to push myself and constantly seek new opportunities to push myself both academically and in my desired career path.”

Deborah Pearce

Programme Lead for Biology and Environment

Deborah’s role is to ensure students get the most out of their degrees, as well as supporting colleagues in their academic roles. The student nomination praised the fact that Deborah regularly creates opportunities for students to attend career events and find out about professional opportunities. The nomination highlighted that “recently, she organised for the CIEM to come into uni so that we could hear about the work they do and find out about more opportunities.”

“Deborah goes above and beyond for us, her students”

Peter Szende

Programme Lead for MSc Programmes (Hospitality & Tourism)

The nomination acknowledged that Peter wants his students to be successful in their professions, rather than just focussing on passing a module. It praised the fact that he created real-life experiences and challenges, setting up meetings with hospitality professionals, mock interviews and presentations from world-leading hotel chains.

“He definitely goes the extra mile, and I strongly believe he deserves this award.”